UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies is an interdisciplinary centre for the integrated study of science's history, philosophy, sociology, communication and policy, located in the heart of London. Founded in 1921. Award winning for teaching and research, plus for our public engagement programme. Rated as outstanding by students at every level.

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Medical students: integrated BSc

New Podcast Series: Thinking About Science

21 September 2012

This term STS is launching a brand new series of podcasts where STS'ers talk with scientists about their current research. The first two podcasts are now live on the STS Website. The aim of the early episodes will be to discuss recent discoveries and research in science and the philosophical implications of these. Dr Emma Tobin (STS, UCL) will interview leading scientists in a number of fields, including astrobiology, particle physics, evolutionary biochemistry, structural biology, psychology and many others.

Episodes 1 and 2 feature interviews with 2 Astrobiologists Prof Ian Crawford (Birkbeck) and Dr Lewis Dartnell (UCL) are now live on the STS website!

Episode 1: Life in the Universe

Ian Crawford introduces the emerging field of Astrobiology to Emma Tobin. Aliens, Extremophiles, The Fermi Paradox, The Rare Earth Hypothesis, Space Travel and much much more! And Ian's thought's on how ethicists might help inform future space exploration.

Interviewed by Dr Emma Tobin, UCL STSRecorded at Science and Technology Studies, UCL by Jo PearsonInterview Date: 5th September 2012Music: Andantino in A flat by JN Hummel, recorded by Jo Pearson

Episode 2: Is Mars Twin Earth?

In this interview, Dr Dartnell discusses the recent Mars probe landing. Is it possible that microbial life could survive on Mars? If so, Is Mars, Twin Earth? Why is water and in particular liquid water so important? What counts as evidence and how will scientists assess the data once it comes in? Does Astrobiology suffer from Data Deluge? And if you've never heard of Conan the Bacterium, here's your chance!Coming up in October we will have i interviews with Prof. Jonathan Butterworth on the discovery of the Higg's Boson and Dr. Nick Lane on the evolution of Biological Complexity.